Sunday October 29th ITF-Belgium organized a seminar with multiple World and European Champion Master Ana Ghadir. About 72 members participated at the seminar: the morning session, 10.00-13.00h, was open to all grades. In the afternoon, 13.30-15.30h, the seminar was reserved to black belt members.
It was a very enjoyable seminar, the participants learned a lot and had a lot of fun, and could enjoy the warmth and enthousiasm of Master Ana.
Dublin, Ireland October 21st
Results:
Report by Nico Tunyck:
After a long time, Chon-ji has once again decided to participate in a championship in Ireland. Arriving in Dublin, we were able to discover the city in a beautiful sun. The next day we had a visit from the foothills of storm Babet, which meant we spent longer than expected in the gym to prepare ourselves even better. A little afternoon walk and a very light meal for some, as there were no scales in the entire hotel. Saturday morning the time had come. by taxi to one of the largest sports halls Ireland (and Belgium) has to offer. After a warm welcome, a successful weigh-in and a coach and referee meeting later, we were able to start hard. We started with red belt junior pattern, where we couldn’t have gotten a worse draw. Tyra straight out against the gold medal winner, Ragnar in the second round against the silver medalist. At almost the same time Axel starts his sparring blue belt junior. He takes gold as a relaxing solution. Immediately change clothes to be able to coach, because it was immediately up to Tyra to spar again. After some heavy attacking, Tyra won the silver medal after a split decision.
Immediately afterwards, Glenn was allowed to compete in the black belts sparring against a member of the national teamof Ireland. After a good fight between the two, the opponent appeared to outsmart Glenn a number of times by being able to assess him more quickly and ultimately won Glenn bronze. Driss came immediately afterwards and fought two very nice rounds against a strong opponent, but was able to dominate him after all the experience he had gained in the past. That’s how he got gold. Thanks to coach Ragnar.
Meanwhile, ring 1 was ahead of schedule with Sabum Nico as center referee. We took over some groups from other rings there. In the evening another festive meal after the achievements and back home in the early, very early morning… What an experience! Great achievements and being able to make new friends…
Hopefully see you back next year Ireland!
Report by Master Eddy Van Damme:
On Saturday 09/09/2023, I gave an initiation lesson Taekwon-Do in Sportshall Driebeek in Gentbrugge. It was for about 15 people with Autism during 1,5h. The question came from the Flemish Organization ‘Sterkmakers in Autisme’, who regularly organize sport activities for people with Autism. Because I already did some volunteering work for the ‘Flemish Autism Association’, and they knew about my thesis “Opportunities in Taekwon-Do for people with Autism”, they asked me to give this course.
I explained some history, the oath and the greeting, then we did some warming-up exercises, individual basic movements and pre-pattern-movement exercises. Some easy punches and kicks for a start, and to give them an idea about the movements. Then I performed Yon-Gae tul in a demonstrative way, in order to give them an impression about what a pattern looks like. Then we did some basic sparring exercises on pads, a few easy breaking moves, ending with a cooling down and a small meditation.
I explained them that I am also on the Autism Spectrum, and that I was as nervous as they were, and that was a catalysator to make things easier and to make a better connection. On the other hand, my 33 years of experience in Taekwon-Do reassured them that they were in safe hands. I illustrated the opportunities for balance, proprioception and body awareness with some simple exercises, then I explained the psychological, mental and social chances of this Martial Art with my own perseverance throughout the years. In that way, I could pass through a few of my own life experiences to them by example. Despite the level of performance, these beginners were very enthusiastic and interested by asking many questions afterwards. They quickly felt safe to do that. It was a positive exchange for everybody.
On Thursday 28/09/2023 in the afternoon, I gave more or less the same introduction lesson for a group of 12 internees in a forensic-psychiatric hospital in Zelzate.
There I started to explain that we were not going to fight today, because I wanted to show them the strength of Taekwon-Do on moral level (to win over oneself), instead of the physical level (a lot of people struggle with an aggression problem). So the meaning of self-control in daily life as a central part of their problems, was an issue that was very important to talk about, before we started with about the same initiation program.
The emphasis was put on pleasure in movement, without any physical contact because of safety reasons. Afterwards, everybody seemed to be happy and relaxed, and they came to me to ask some more questions about Martial Arts.
The Netherlands, October 14th
Results members ITF-Belgium:
